Can the Browns Overcome Last Year's Stunning Loss to Jacksonville?
by Chris Pokorny on Nov 18, 2011 1:00 PM EST
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For teams being in different divisions, the Cleveland Browns sure do face the Jacksonville Jaguars pretty often -- this will be the fourth consecutive season that they have had a game against each other. That has largely been a byproduct of both teams finishing in the same slot in the division (third- or fourth-place). Interestingly enough, that could change next season. Right now, the Browns are in fourth place in the AFC North, while the Colts are in fourth place in the AFC South. If things hold, that ends up probably being a tougher game for Cleveland next year than Jacksonville would be.
The circumstances under which the Browns played the Jaguars last year are eerily similar. In 2010, Cleveland played at Jacksonville on November 21 and entered the game with a 3-6 record. In 2011, Jacksonville comes to Cleveland on November 20 and the Browns are again entering the contest with a 3-6 record.
If you think the Browns should have won last week against the St. Louis Rams, then they really should have won last year against the Jaguars. That was a game in which the Browns forced six turnovers...but lost 24-20. The frustrating part about the game was that after having moved the ball well in the first half, the defense had a span between the third and fourth quarters in which they forced four turnovers to set the offense up with great field position. The Browns managed just three points off of those four turnovers.
The Jaguars scored a touchdown with a little over three minutes to play. The Browns tacked on a quick field goal. Just before the two-minute warning, Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew unbelievable ran a 75-yard screen pass against Cleveland's defense before getting a touchdown two plays later. The Browns lost a game that they should have had in the bag when you look at the turnover ratio and how big of a lead the Browns had late in the game.
The Jaguars aren't as good of a team this year as they were last year. They have struggled to move the ball on offense under rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert. In fact, the only team that has scored less points after nine games in the NFL is the St. Louis Rams, a team the Browns' defense did not allow to erupt. The Jaguars do feature a tough defense though -- they are among the top five teams in the league in not allowing points, and they stymied the Baltimore Ravens a couple of weeks ago.
The Jaguars also have former Browns wide receiver Brian Robiskie and linebacker Matt Roth on their roster. Hopefully this year's outcome is different than last year's.
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3-6 (666) could have something to do with it.
by Brownie's Year on Nov 18, 2011 1:44 PM EST up reply actions
The number of the best?
"Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened."
— Winston S. Churchill
I have the best wife - ever.
I still contend when playing the decent offensive teams (Jets, Saints, Bengals, Texans) the Jags defense gave up an average of 27 point per game so they can be scored against. Against bad offenses this year (Indy, Carolina, Tennessee) they did much better. If we show up with our offensive woes we will fall in that 2nd category and most likely be in a dog fight (no pun intended). I think this is the week the offense moves the ball at home and I can see us scoring more than 20 points. I thought of all the games left including last week, this was our best shot for a win. We can contain Jones-Drew and I dont think Gabbert poses a threat. Browns 24-Jags14 Colt 18-28 230 yards 2 TD’s 1 int.
Are we a decent offensive team? Seriously? We couldn’t even put up a TD on the Rams.
2010 Official DBN League Fantasy Football Champion
by TheDriveStillHurts on Nov 18, 2011 2:39 PM EST up reply actions
Actually I believe the blind squirrel theory is a solid one. I’m with you on this. Big win Sunday.
Go, I say go away boy, you bother me.
by burntorangeandbrown on Nov 18, 2011 7:22 PM EST up reply actions
You're only looking at the stats and not the game
The Jags legitimately only gave up 10 points to the Jets (the only points actually given up on drives by the Defense). The rest of those points scored came on ints in our own end of the 35 yd line by our former QB Luke McNown. (Our D that week actually was hilariously the 4th ranked D in yards for that week…funny all those TDs/FGs given up the drives started 15-35 yds out)
The Bengals scored a TD on a fumble on the last play of the game and scored a short td after given the ball on our 20 (special teams blunder with out former punter).
Basically we held the Saints to their at the time season low point total (a pretty good feat) and against the Texans had a meh game. Don’t let the numbers fool you. If you watch those games you’ll see how good the defense is.
Also not sure how you intend on containing jones drew with one of the league worst run defenses (houston didn’t even have to throw the ball to win against you guys). Not to mention your D’s main weakness is rushes up the middle, which also happens to be out teams strength. Not sure what you’re seeing….
Travis D. Holmes
Also not sure how you intend on containing jones drew with one of the league worst run defenses (houston didn’t even have to throw the ball to win against you guys
You’re comparing your offense and Houston’s offense. Apples and oranges. We couldn’t stack the box to stop their RBs because then Schaub would have torched us. I hope I’m not offending you when I say that with your passing offense, we can put 8 guys up front and still feel comfortable with being able to defend the pass.
The key to better sleep: Doing what's right. Of course a Browns win never hurts either.
No offense taken on the passing strategy.
The thing is everyone else is loading the box, too. The only team to successfully shut down MJD has been Houston. Just imagine how good MJD would look if the Jaguars had a passing game, and teams couldn’t afford the luxury of using that extra man against the run.
Well, you said that their defense did great against bad offenses and not as great against good offenses.
Which one do the browns fall under?
by The Licensed Pessimist on Nov 18, 2011 5:28 PM EST up reply actions
What gives you that feeling? Hillis isn’t back, neither is Hardesty. MoMass is still probable.
We couldn’t score a TD against one of the worst defenses in the NFL at home last week. There is always a chance we can break out, but I don’t see the logic to support it especially against a top 5 defense
by The Licensed Pessimist on Nov 19, 2011 12:33 AM EST up reply actions
Is your run defense better than it ranks?
MJD has been effective against just about every defense he’s faced. Why would he be stopped by the 30th ranked run defense?
That PPG is one of those instances in which the numbers are misleading. Those Jets points came mostly off of turnovers. Luke McCown threw 4 INTs that game. One of those Bengals TDs was from a desperation lateral-fest that ended up finding it’s way to the wrong end zone on the last play of the game. Also, if you get to include the Jets as a good offense, surely Pittsburgh counts as well.
On a side note, I had some friends visit from New Zealand last year, so I took them to the Jacksonville vs Cleveland game. Heck of an exciting finish for their first NFL experience.
I never said the Jags had a bad defense, I said I think the Browns with a quick hitting passing game will be able to move the ball. Maybe not. Of course if the Browns cannot stop Jones-Drew (he had well over 200 all purpose yards against us last year) it will be a hard game to win. Both teams are young and need more talent, but I think the Browns are learning they need to take some offensive chances or last week result will happen over and over. My bet is the offense will take some chances this week.
My hope is the offense will take some chances this week. I definitely wouldn’t put money on it though lol.
"Tracers work both ways" ~US Army Ordnance
Think about this:
What would the Jags D be ranked if they were able to play the Browns schedule of QBs and Rbs? LOL!
Browns have a good pass ranked D but who have they played at QB? (One person…-Texans QB) And he didn’t have to pass the ball for that gamm to be won. Even after playing Big Ben, Schuab, Newton, Dalton (who has the same TDs and more wins than Newton), Brees, and and hot and cold Flaco we still have the number 4 ranked overall D. Is the significance of this even in conversation?
Travis D. Holmes
Yeah, but we had to face Gradkowski. So there.
2010 Official DBN League Fantasy Football Champion
by TheDriveStillHurts on Nov 18, 2011 5:00 PM EST up reply actions
We did OK against Brady and Brees last year (I know not the same team). We don’t typically have problems defending the pass as of late. Rushing as always continues to be an issue.
I’m with johnf34 here. Look at the QB’s the Browns have faced this year. The only two that even scare anyone are Hasselbeck and Schaub.
Hasselbeck easily handled the Browns’ D, throwing for 3 TD’s. This was with a healthy Joe Haden in the lineup.
And the Texans could have won without Schaub completing a pass because they had two different backs go for 100+.
by Monsters of the Midway on Nov 19, 2011 1:47 PM EST up reply actions
Hasselbeck easily handled the Browns’ D, throwing for 3 TD’s
No, he did not handle the Browns D. He had two huge plays that were a result of abysmal tackling. On the whole, Hasselbeck struggled, completing only 50% of his passes.
"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway
by notthatnoise on Nov 19, 2011 3:10 PM EST up reply actions
Ok but I believe the point still stands. The Browns defense hasn’t had to face QB’s of any notoriety.
by Monsters of the Midway on Nov 19, 2011 6:56 PM EST up reply actions
that’s true, but that also means we don’t have any data to go on. As it stands, our pass defense has been much better than our rush defense. So as HenryDog says, we haven’t had problems defending the pass lately. That may be due to the QBs we’ve faced, but we don’t know yet.
"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway
by notthatnoise on Nov 19, 2011 7:58 PM EST up reply actions
It’s the fact that everyone just runs on us. DVOA paints a better picture than yards allowed.
In Golan we trust.
by SpecialBrownie on Nov 19, 2011 11:49 PM EST up reply actions
Love my Browns but face it, Jacksonville’s D is going to be ready to play and they are better than their record. Those guys need an O-line like we do though. Otherwise, they’d be 6-3. 24-14 Jags.
Those are my principles. If you don’t like them I have others. - Groucho Marx
by The New Kardiac Kids on Nov 18, 2011 5:23 PM EST reply actions
O-line's not the issue.
Maybe a little bit early in the year, but not now. The issue is a rookie QB playing like a rookie QB and receivers who can’t run a route or catch a pass to save their lives. I have a hard time with the “better than their record” statement, but I will say that we could have just as easily won at least two of the games we lost.
Our D is good. Probably better than theirs. It will be a close snore fest.
by Brownie's Year on Nov 19, 2011 4:33 AM EST up reply actions
Their D is good. Whatever, watch the game. O.T. why can’t I find my comments about Shurmpit in the 13-12 thread? Mods?
Those are my principles. If you don’t like them I have others. - Groucho Marx
by The New Kardiac Kids on Nov 18, 2011 5:53 PM EST reply actions
Darn reply button.
Those are my principles. If you don’t like them I have others. - Groucho Marx
by The New Kardiac Kids on Nov 18, 2011 5:53 PM EST up reply actions
Jauronderant?
In Golan we trust.
by SpecialBrownie on Nov 18, 2011 6:22 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Funny….go ahead and suppress it. The one where you called me an asshole and accused me of rolling bye. It’s gone. I’m sure someone else saw it. The one where you asked me to comment more. I’m commenting :-).
Those are my principles. If you don’t like them I have others. - Groucho Marx
by The New Kardiac Kids on Nov 18, 2011 8:31 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe, but not better coached.
Those are my principles. If you don’t like them I have others. - Groucho Marx
by The New Kardiac Kids on Nov 18, 2011 8:42 PM EST up reply actions
I watched the Houston-Jags game and I was impressed by Jacksonville’s D. They lost close to Pitt and Houston and killed up-and -down Tenn.
Those are my principles. If you don’t like them I have others. - Groucho Marx
by The New Kardiac Kids on Nov 18, 2011 9:01 PM EST up reply actions
My bad, it was Houston who killed Tenn.
Those are my principles. If you don’t like them I have others. - Groucho Marx
by The New Kardiac Kids on Nov 18, 2011 9:23 PM EST up reply actions
I’m not sure which comments you’re specifically referring to, but if you have a question please e-mail us.
"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway
by notthatnoise on Nov 19, 2011 3:12 PM EST up reply actions
I found it, and if you really don’t know why that comment was deleted, you need to reread the community guidelines.
"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway
by notthatnoise on Nov 19, 2011 3:20 PM EST up reply actions
I really don’t. I’ve said worse on here. WTF ever.
Dawgs by Nature: Where apparently First Amendment rights are a luxury.
by The New Kardiac Kids on Nov 19, 2011 5:44 PM EST up reply actions
It wasn’t just a comment, it was a whole exchange of comments. Looking forward to getting banned for my new signature.
Dawgs by Nature: Where apparently First Amendment rights are a luxury.
by The New Kardiac Kids on Nov 19, 2011 6:13 PM EST up reply actions
Dawgs By Nature: Where there are posting guidelines like every other forum on the internet.
Dawgs By Nature: Where we're about one loss away from Jonestowning ourselves.
by Adrock2099 on Nov 19, 2011 6:40 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs
I don't know what all the fuss is about, but
you voluntarily forgo some constitutional rights when you agree to terms of use. Contract law overrides your natural rights. Please don’t twist the Constitution. There’s enough of that as it is.
I deleted the top comment. When that happens, everything underneath it goes too, whether those other comments met the guidelines or not.
The first amendment only applies to the government. Private organizations can and do restrict your speech all the time. When you signed up for this site, you said you had read and understood our guidelines. The post I got rid of shows that you either didn’t read them, didn’t understand them, or forgot about them. Please reread the community guidelines, particularly the section on intelligent discussion.
And for the last time, please direct any questions about moderator actions to a moderator or Chris via email.
"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway
by notthatnoise on Nov 19, 2011 8:02 PM EST up reply actions
I’m sure it was you. ;-)
Dawgs by Nature: Where apparently First Amendment rights are a luxury.
by The New Kardiac Kids on Nov 20, 2011 3:37 PM EST up reply actions
And BTW the first amendment applies to everything that is said in this country except for slander or libel. Keep it to myself and e-mail? Dawgs by Nature: Where, apparently, if you don’t conform you don’t know what you’re talking about or you’re an anarchist. Don’t tell me my rights under the first amendment.
Dawgs by Nature: Where apparently First Amendment rights are a luxury.
by The New Kardiac Kids on Nov 20, 2011 3:42 PM EST up reply actions
I have screenshots. Just please do not delete anytrhing I say and if you feel something was out of line, tell me here. I have nothing to hide.
Dawgs by Nature: Where apparently First Amendment rights are a luxury.
by The New Kardiac Kids on Nov 20, 2011 3:45 PM EST up reply actions
My apologies. “Anything”
Dawgs by Nature: Where apparently First Amendment rights are a luxury.
by The New Kardiac Kids on Nov 20, 2011 3:46 PM EST up reply actions
We have a puncher’s chance, because we’re at home. That said, I have a hard time seeing us winning any more games this year unless we see some pretty significant improvement.
Of course, we could have a game or two that our opponent loses, but I have a hard time seeing this team actually being the better team.
I think we have a pretty legitimate chance at a 3-13 record and the #2 pick.
by Uwe Blog on Nov 18, 2011 10:44 PM EST via mobile reply actions
You always have a puncher's chance.
The game is far from in the bag for either team. While I would be mildly surprised if the Jags lose, it would only be mildly.
Remember ’09…
What happened to Jacksonville?
"I want my unwarranted optimism back." -Dilbert
by Simmsinns on Nov 19, 2011 12:03 AM EST reply actions 3 recs
The funny thing is you could say the same thing about lst year’s game. Just replace the pic with one of our inept offense.
Dawgs By Nature: Where we're about one loss away from Jonestowning ourselves.
by Adrock2099 on Nov 19, 2011 1:04 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
By forcing a million turnovers? Sure!
by BuenosAires_Dawg on Nov 19, 2011 10:07 AM EST up reply actions
Yup, just replace Cribbs with MJD. It was painful to watch, like a botched last minute, potentially game winning field goal.
Dawgs by Nature -- where Montario Hardesty, apparently, 'did some good things'.
by North Coast Flea on Nov 19, 2011 12:28 PM EST up reply actions
I do remember. I just think it’s unfair to say the defense lost us the game when it was the pathetic showing of the offense that put us in a position to lose.
by BuenosAires_Dawg on Nov 20, 2011 12:48 PM EST up reply actions
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